Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

GOVEK

G ovek's mind reeled. His thoughts spun and his heart raced. He wanted to pick Miranda up and flee.

He'd thought of doing so this morning. They could have packed up a sack on the way out the door and ventured off into the woods. They'd hide among the mists and pretend Rove Wood Clan had never existed.

He should have known the clan would be biased. That they wouldn't play fair in this.

These could be the last moments he spent with Miranda. His love.

Fuck .

"Sythcol, please, come forth to perform the clearing."

Ergoth looked almost satisfied . It blistered in Govek's chest.

Yes, his father was meant to put the clan before everything else, but Govek was still his son . Should that not count for something ?

Govek gritted his teeth. It never had counted in the past. He shouldn't be surprised now.

"Chief Ergoth." Miranda sat up straight again with Govek's hand tight in hers. "I request we do not use Sythcol's magic during these proceedings."

Sythcol, who'd been making his way to the alcove at the back of the Rove Tree where the clearing was performed, stopped dead in his tracks, and whipped around to stare at Miranda.

"I don't think how it works is fair," Miranda said, and Sythcol's face twisted with ire.

Fuck.

Govek's rage simmered at the back of his mind. He was already too caught up. He could not face a male looking at his woman the way Sythcol was now. He wanted to rip the conjurer to shreds.

"Govek," Chief Ergoth said loudly. " Control yourself or I will have to ask you to be removed from this judgment."

A clamor of agreement rumbled through the clan, but Miranda rose her voice to speak over them. " That is exactly the problem, Chief Ergoth. That is exactly why I don't want the clearing used."

His father scowled at her and Govek had to shut his eyes, take deep breaths. Miranda gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, but it did little to quell the rage in his blood.

"You make no sense, nor do you have the right to demand this." Ergoth's voice was clipped.

"Explain, woman," Karthoc said, earning himself an angry rebuke from Ergoth, but Karthoc skewered him with a glower and the chief fell silent.

Miranda got to her feet. "Govek told me that Sythcol's clearing magic helps everyone to maintain attention on the judgment."

"That is true," Ergoth said. "It is to everyone's benefit."

"Is it also true that it prevents people from interrupting the proceedings?"

"Yes, of course."

"Even if they want clarification or to ask questions?"

The rolling voices of the clan rose higher.

"They do not need to ask questions. All the information they need is presented in proper order so they can make a fair judgment."

"So, they get to draw their own conclusions. What if not everything is covered? Wouldn't that mean they fabricate evidence in their minds to fill in those blanks?"

"How dare you?—"

Maythra had started to spout off, but one look from Karthoc made her pale and bow her head.

Then Govek turned back to his father and his stomach dropped. Ergoth's eyes were blazing.

Govek resisted the urge to pull Miranda back down into her chair, to hide her at his side, as Ergoth stepped forward. "That is a rather lofty and unfair assumption. You are a human outsider. Who are you to judge the great workings of our lead conjurer, Sythcol?"

Miranda was undeterred. "Isn't it true that in the past, just like today , Govek has been asked to leave the proceedings before he could speak, and the judgment was concluded without his input at all?"

"That is for the safety of our clan. You are too new and blinded by your biased opinion, but we all know how uncontrolled and dangerous Govek's rage can be." Ergoth swung his hand out. "Just look at our table . Sythcol says it will take half a moon to mend. What if that strike had landed on another orc? Or one of the women ?"

Govek's stomach churned, and he felt like he might be sick. His fists balled and his claws dug deep.

Miranda reached out to cover it. Her touch was so gentle. He breathed deeply.

"What Miranda says is true," a voice called.

Govek looked out over the clan to where Iytier was standing once again.

"There have been many times that Govek was asked to leave before he was allowed to speak and more still that he was not even present for the proceedings at all. Estoc, you have witnessed too, yes?"

What? Estoc was here? He'd arrived back from the seasonal communion early as well?

Govek swallowed, unsure if Estoc would be of any aid. They had always been at odds.

Estoc rose to his feet. He was short of stature but had a stocky build. One that Govek realized in an odd turn matched his own proportions somewhat, just on a smaller scale and with far less muscle.

A quiet descended on the clan. A chill.

"Yes, it is true," Estoc finally said. "I have been present for every judgment where Govek has stood accused. There have been many and most of them have seen Govek dismissed long before he had any chance to defend himself."

Govek sucked in a breath, and fresh air flooded his lungs, clearing his head.

Estoc had defended him.

"How has this been allowed to occur without any among you calling the fairness into question?" Karthoc asked, eyes on Ergoth.

Miranda spoke out loudly, her voice echoing around the hall. "They couldn't call it out because Sythcol's clearing magic prevented them from interrupting."

The silence in the hall was deafening, and Govek could hardly fathom the shifting of energy within the clan.

Ergoth said confidently. "This is all complete conjecture. Even if the clearing stopped members of the clan from speaking during the judgment, it could not have stopped them from speaking out afterward. None of the clan members ever came to me and asked that the proceedings be redone. Not even Govek himself."

The whispers in the clan began again, but the tones were mixed.

"But would they have? The clearing helped them to draw a conclusion on their own. Their minds were made up by the end, even though the statements were biased. But since they never got the full truth, they wouldn't be able to see past that, would they?"

The whispers turned to grumbles, and the tone was far less difficult to interpret.

They were angry.

Govek clenched his jaw and stroked his thumb over Miranda's wrist. Were they angry at her words or...?

Miranda looked back at him, nodded confidently.

She wasn't afraid in the least.

Karthoc spoke, his voice seething. "We will need to discuss this at length , Chief Ergoth. But not now. For now, Sythcol, return to your seat. We will not be using your magic today. "

Ergoth cut in. "You have no authority to?—"

"I have all the authority, Ergoth," Karthoc said slowly. "I could remove you from this entirely. But out or respect for this clan's traditions, I will not. Not yet. "

Ergoth's chin rose, and he looked to the clan. "What say you, my great clan? Karthoc may have authority, but our community has always been built on equality. You should be the ones to choose."

Karthoc grumbled with irritation but didn't fight it. Couldn't fight it. Angering the only males who could create healing tinctures for the orc warriors would only bring him ruin. Govek was struck by the difficulty of his cousin's position in this as Karthoc speared the hundreds of powerful, magic-wielding clansmen with a hard look.

For the split of a moment, Govek's mind flailed and his muscles tensed to bear defeat once again.

And then Estoc's voice rose. "I call to vote for no clearing today. Who stands?"

Govek blinked as nearly all the males within Rove Wood stood. Strong, firm, supportive.

He couldn't catch a breath.

"Fine." Ergoth spat quiet venom. "We will proceed without."

Ergoth whirled away from Miranda, his violet cloaks billowing and shimmery in the bright light of the hall.

Miranda sat down again, close enough that their thighs brushed, but she was still tense, on the edge of her seat, ready to stand whenever the need struck.

Stand for him . His mate stood for him in a way that no other member of his brethren ever had.

Fades, he loved her with every fiber of his being .

Chief Ergoth faced Maythra a moment before regarding Wolvc.

"First to speak is you , Wolvc. But, from what I understand, because Govek unduly used magic when striking the blow, your jaw is shattered and even Hovget's powerful healing cannot reduce the agony."

Bile burned at the back of Govek's throat and the hand that had wounded this male so badly was shaking. Even Miranda's firm grip couldn't stop it.

Ergoth continued. "Since you are unable to speak, I will elect someone to speak on your behalf. Someone who was there that night and can give a firsthand account. Maythra, please rise."

What? Maythra was getting her chance to speak now? So early on?

Miranda was on her feet. "I object."

A rolling grumble of irritation rolled through the clan, but Miranda did not budge.

" Young woman," Chief Ergoth said. "Do you plan to find issue at every stage?"

"No. Just the unfair ones," Miranda said with a shrug that made amusement rise in Govek's chest despite himself. "I was told that the victims get to speak first. So Maythra shouldn't be allowed to speak before I do."

"Maythra is the only one who can properly account for Wolvc's tale," Ergoth countered.

"I ask that you let his father, Agol, speak for him instead. I'm certain Wolvc has communicated everything to his father clearly, even if Agol hadn't been there to witness it."

What? Govek went cold. Miranda hadn't told him about this part of her plan .

The gleam in Chief Ergoth's eyes instantly unsettled Govek. "His father . Well, of course, that is a perfect alternative. I will allow it unless any have objections?"

None rose, but Govek felt the twist of uncertainty clench his mind as he tried to fathom what Miranda intended with this.

If it had been his own son on the stand, Govek would likely have been willing to say anything that would prevent him from being sent to war.

But before Govek could find a way to rationally object, Ergoth called Agol to the platform, and the male stood tall, right before him. Agony and fury masked the male's features.

Govek had nearly killed his son.

Govek lowered his eyes as Miranda sat down again, close enough that he could feel her warmth, but it did nothing to soothe him this time.

Agol spoke in a flat tone that gave no hint to his true thoughts. "According to my son's account, he was walking with Rogeth and Maythra to the hall when they happened upon Govek and Miranda. Miranda appeared to be unconscious and mostly unresponsive, and Govek was on top of her. Wolvc rushed to intervene and Govek attacked him without issuing any challenge. When Miranda recovered, Govek spun her a different story to make her believe my son and his companions were the ones attacking."

"Shit."

The whispered curse made Govek whip his head toward Miranda. She moved to cling to his hand with both of hers, pulled it into her lap for comfort. Her expression was tense and angry as she regarded Agol .

Clearly, she'd been of the opinion that the male would speak the truth . But could he have even known it? He only knew what his son, Maythra, and Rogeth told him.

"That is all?" Ergoth asked, his tone giving no illusion he was pleased with this outcome.

Govek burned, looked at the contrast between Ergoth and Agol. Both fathers. Both standing for their sons.

But where Agol was standing to defend Wolvc, Ergoth was...

Govek squeezed his eyes shut as his guts rolled. It was for the good of the clan . Chief Ergoth was only doing what needed to be done to protect the orcs of the Rove Woods.

But his repeated mantra was not soothing his fury like it had in the past.

"No."

Govek blinked up at Agol's clipped word.

"No," the lead guard continued. "I have more to say." The male's eyes pierced into Govek's for a long moment and behind him, Ergoth's lips curled into a smile. "Although this is the account my son has communicated to me, I have doubts at its truth."

The clan began to murmur again, much louder this time.

"Silence, my clan, be still. Warlord Karthoc, do you not see that this is why the clearing is so important? Please, Sythcol, go to your post?—"

"Be silent , Ergoth," Karthoc snarled. "My decision on that vile clearing is final. It will not be used." Then he roared to the clan. "You lot are fucking grown ! Act like it and be silent !"

Everyone went still except Miranda, who made an odd choking noise, and Govek blinked down to find that his little mate was trying to withhold her laughter .

Govek smiled despite himself. He supposed he could see the humor in the regal orcs of Rove Wood Clan being scolded like children.

"Agol," Karthoc said. "Proceed."

"Agol, I find I must remind you that you are speaking for your son and not yourself?—"

"Be quiet, Ergoth," Karthoc snapped. "My order for silence extends to you as well."

Chief Ergoth's face twisted, but he went silent.

"Now, Agol, finish with your truths." Karthoc waved the male on.

Agol spoke without preamble. "I doubt my son's account because I could scent Rogeth all along Miranda's chin and mouth. Clearly, the male had touched her, likely to silence her. If they had happened upon Govek attacking, why would they need to prevent this woman from screaming for aid?"

The clan remained silent, but Govek could see from their postures that they were thinking this logic through.

"These are simply your own opinions, Agol. Tell me. Could Rogeth have accidentally touched Miranda while he was trying to aid her?" Ergoth asked, ignoring Karthoc's harsh glower.

"It is unlikely," Agol said.

"But not impossible."

There was a tense pause before Agol finally admitted quietly. "No. It is not impossible."

Ergoth tipped his head at the male. "I thank you for your account, Agol. I know this has been very trying for you. Your only precious son was ruthlessly attacked. I think we all here can imagine how horrible those few hours wondering if he may live or die must have been. "

Govek twisted inside and he shuddered. He couldn't even feel Miranda's comforting grip on his hands.

"Now," Ergoth said, turning his sharp eyes to Miranda. "Let us proceed."